Abstract:
Iranian researchers at Islamic Azad University successfully introduced ZnO/SnO2 nanocomposite catalyst with molar ratio of 2:1 with higher performance than single films of ZnO and SnO2 by using drop method to deactivate E.Coli bacterium.

"Our long-term purpose is to study the possibility of the removal of the microbial pollution, firstly by obtaining acceptable results on standard bacteria (with less resistance), and then by optimizing catalytic systems that are used in the elimination of hospital bacteria (with higher resistance)," Dr. Nasrin Talebiyan, Assistant Professor of Shahreza Branch of Islamic Azad University, told INIC.

According to Dr. Talebiyan, the activities carried out in this research are as follows:

o Preparation of film catalysts of ZnO / SnO2 nanocomposite and single ZnO and SnO2 thin layers through sol-gel method;o Identification of catalysts through XRD, SEM, and UV-vis methods;o Studying the antibacterial properties of catalysts in order to deactivate E Coli bacterium by using drop method in the presence and absence of the radiation of ultraviolet light;o Studying the effects of parameters such as radiation time, type of photocatalyst, UV radiation, and various bacteriological methods in the evaluation of antibacterial activity.

According to the results of the research, ZnO/SnO2 nanocomposite catalyst with a mole ratio of 2:1 has the best performance, and the drop method was chosen as the best method for the deactivation of E Coli bacterium.

Explaining about the research, Talebiyan said, "One of highly important characteristics of the catalytic systems is that they do not need the radiation of UV. In addition, experimental data prove the antibacterial activity of the system in thin layer films samples. The samples also have a highly good repeatability."